The double Wimbledon and Olympic champion, who enjoyed a remarkable 2016, will be striving to avoid starting the new year by becoming the first man in history to lose six Grand Slam finals in the same event.

Murray, who turns 30 in May, has lots of history here without ever lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup – a trophy named after the only other tennis player to be knighted.

The British No 1 may have to beat them both to win here this time, with the No 17 seed from Switzerland a possible quarter-final opponent and the No 2 seed from Serbia his scheduled opponent in another final.

Murray hits a backhand during a practice session in Australia (Image: Getty Images)

The World No 1 wants to replicate his Wimbledon success in Australia this year (Image: REUTERS)

But in his 44th Grand Slam event, Murray will this time be the top ranked player on the planet.

And he said: “I do think the last few months of last year can help me with giving me a bunch of confidence - other players look at that and see you’re playing well, and I feel physically and mentally strong.

“Each time I come, I think I’ve got a chance of winning but it’s just never happened. Hopefully, this year will be different.

“I love this event. I have been really close a number of times – it has just never happened for me, but I don’t think being No 1 will change my mindset so much coming into the event this year.

Working hard during a resistance training session in Australia (Image: Getty Images)

And later the World No 1 is mobbed by fans (Image: Getty Images)

“I believe if I play my best tennis I’ll have a shot of winning. And it’s one that I’d love to win because there have been so many near misses.”

The only other man to lose five Grand Slam finals in the same event is Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl, who lost the US Open final in 1982-84, 1988 and 1989 but did win a hat-trick of titles in New York from 1985-87.

Murray will face Ukrainian world No 93 Illya Marchenko in the first round on Monday.

On Tuesday Djokovic takes on Fernando Verdasco, the Spaniard blew five match points against the world No 2 at the Qatar Open last week.